Huntington Library Celebrates Chinese New Year with Festive Traditions

Annual event at renowned Southern California institution blends art, nature, performance, and cuisine to honor cultural heritage.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles County, California, transformed its grounds and halls into a vibrant celebration of Chinese New Year, drawing thousands of families to experience immersive cultural experiences, live performances, hands-on activities, and traditional cuisine.

Why it matters

The Huntington's annual Chinese New Year festival serves as an important educational opportunity for attendees of all backgrounds to learn about the significance of the holiday and its customs, promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

The details

The festival featured a spectacular lineup of family-friendly activities, including lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, classical music performances on traditional Chinese instruments, elegant dances in vibrant costumes, hands-on arts and crafts workshops, storytelling sessions, and cooking demonstrations showcasing classic New Year's dishes.

  • The Huntington Library's Chinese New Year celebration took place on Saturday, February 23, 2026.
  • The weekend-long event has become a much-anticipated annual tradition at the institution.

The players

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

A renowned tourist attraction and collections-based educational institution in Southern California.

Los Angeles Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association

The group that performed the spectacular lion and dragon dances at the event.

Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA and Wushu Tai Chi, Sword, Spear and Fan

Martial arts groups that demonstrated their skills at the festival.

Guo Jie Tai Chi Academy

Performed Taiko drum demonstrations as part of the event's live performances.

Chinese Kwun Opera Society

Provided traditional Chinese opera musical performances at the festival.

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What they’re saying

“We try to come every year if we can score the tickets!”

— Randi C, Attendee from Orange County (Xinhua)

“We are loving it!”

— Amada W, Attendee from Ohio (Xinhua)

“This was a real treat for us. It's beautiful and fun, and we learned a lot of cool new stuff.”

— Lucy W, Local resident (Xinhua)

“Our kids love learning about new things and different cultures. This whole event is spectacular.”

— Kent and Mary S, Visitors from Oregon (Xinhua)

“It's super!”

— 8-year-old son of Kent and Mary S (Xinhua)

What’s next

The Huntington Library plans to continue hosting its annual Chinese New Year celebration, providing a festive and educational experience for families to honor cultural traditions and learn about the significance of the holiday.

The takeaway

The Huntington Library's Chinese New Year festival showcases how cultural institutions can foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation by offering immersive experiences that blend art, nature, performance, and cuisine, making learning about diverse traditions engaging and accessible for all.